Saturday, June 18, 2011

What a ride! A beaming Christine Bleakley and Frank Lampard arrive at London's Heathrow Airport today after their long-haul flight from Los Angeles

After a long-haul flight from Los Angeles to London, you'd expect Christine Bleakley and Frank Lampard to be feeling a bit shattered.

But after getting engaged during their holiday, nothing could wipe the smile from the ecstatic faces as they walked through Heathrow's Terminal Three.

Although she admitted her ring was a bit too big, the TV presenter couldn't help but flash her diamond ring as she strolled through the airport.

Bling: Bleakley's engagement ring is rumoured to cost £120,000

The ring, which includes a large solitaire diamond, as well as smaller diamonds on the band, is thought to have cost in the region of £120,000.

The thrilled couple beamed with happiness at they walked through the airport, no doubt excited to meet up with their families to celebrate their news.

Looking casual in a pair of skinny jeans, wedges and a black T-shirt, the Northern Irish star's big bag and clutch were complemented by her new fiance's pink T-shirt.

Before boarding their flight at LAX, the cute pair looked more in love than ever as they held hands and kissed in front of the Virgin Atlantic check-in stand.

Perky: The couple looked remarkably fresh-faced after their 10 and a half hour flight from LA

We're ever so happy: The couple grin at each other as they are besieged by paparazzi at Terminal 3

Neither of them could stop smiling as they waited for their first-class flight back to London Heathrow.

They will be able to share the romantic proposal story to their friends and family this weekend back in the UK.

Frank apparently spent three months secretly planning his proposal, which cost as much as £150,000.

Home James: The couple get into a waiting taxi to take them back to their Chelsea home

Affectionate: The couple were still holding hands as they sat in the back of the taxi

They flew to America on a trip thought to have cost £30,000, which saw them visit Las Vegas and Los Angeles, while he’s said to have spent around £120,000 on the engagement ring.

But the Daybreak presenter insisted that the England midfielder’s proposal was ‘not very fancy’.

The 32-year-old footballer got down on one knee after a romantic beach side lunch in LA, which led Bleakley, also 32, to cry for ten minutes.

Checking in: Frank and Christine shared a passionate kiss while checking in for their Virgin Atlantic flight

The couple had been on a two week break, first staying at the Wynn Encore five star luxury resort in Nevada for almost a week, which costs £400 a night, and boasts its own golf course, private cabanas, four pools and a spa.

They then travelled to California and it is understood they stayed at the £350-a-night SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills.

After becoming Lampard’s fiancée, Bleakley called her ITV colleagues Adrian Chiles and Kate Garraway and said: ‘I was beyond shocked. And it wasn’t very glamorous, it wasn’t very fancy - I know some people might expect that.

Nice tan! Christine was sporting a healthy glow after a two week holiday in Las Vegas and Los Angeles

His and hers! Newly-engaged couple Frank Lampard and Christine Bleakley wore matching T-shirts and jeans at LAX, as he wore pink and she wore white

Cute couple: When they weren't kissing the pair hugged each other in the airport

Can't stop smiling: The happy couple were giggling all the way to the airport in LA

‘It was very personal, very private actually, and we were just having a gorgeous lunch by the beach and he simply popped the question, it was completely out of the blue.’

She added: ‘Half-way through the lovey-dovey bit, I realised what he was about to do so I started to cry for about ten minutes and then he pulled the ring out and said ‘Will you marry me?’ and that was it.’

They have not yet set a date for the wedding, but it will be in Northern Ireland, where her family is from.

Hand in hand: Frank held onto his new fiancée's hand protectively as they walked through the airport

Extravagant proposal: Frank is said to have spent around £120,000 on the ring and £30,000 on their American holiday